Ball Lock Pilot Punches - Tapered Tip, Light Duty, Metric

Ball lock pilot punches with a tapered tip are used to locate and guide components during die or fixture press operations, where repeatable alignment is critical.

• Automotive and industrial die assemblies: In multi-station metal forming and blanking, the ball-lock retention helps keep the punch stable in the plate, while the tapered tip centers entry to reduce misalignment during stroke start.
• Medical device and precision stamping: For housings and small functional parts produced in metric die sets, the pilot action controls part positioning and ejection timing, improving consistency across production cycles.
• General metric die locating for die-and-punch systems: The light-duty configuration is suited when load levels are moderate, and tight guidance over the pilot point is needed to prevent drift and skew.

The tapered tip geometry and the broad shank diameter coverage (D 10–38 mm) make this variant a practical choice for common metric die layouts.

The provided data identifies this as a light-duty ball lock pilot punch series but does not specify a steel grade or heat treatment condition. For sizing and compatibility, treat material selection as a requirement to confirm with the supplier or purchase documentation tied to the Dayton LAMINA standardized part number.

• Heat treatment (to confirm): Typical pilot punches use through-hardened or quenched & tempered tool steels, or case-hardening for wear-critical guidance surfaces.
• Hardness and trade-offs: Higher hardness generally improves wear resistance on the tapered tip during repeated engagement, but can reduce toughness if not balanced for the expected press load.
• Wear vs. toughness: If you anticipate frequent edge contact or abrasive die environments, prioritize a hardened condition that maintains adequate impact toughness to resist chipping.

Where multiple material options exist for a series, compare the expected hardness level (HRC), surface finish, and any nitriding/carburizing options against your cycle count and lubrication regime.

Select pilot punch dimensions by matching the shank, locating length, and engagement point to the die’s guide features and the available pocket depth.

• Shank diameter (D): Choose D within 10–38 mm to fit the corresponding bore/guide size in your die plate. Confirm fit class and functional clearance so the punch can seat without binding.
• Point length (L1): Select L1 from the available ranges (19–72, 19–102, 25–112, or 30–112 mm) to set how far the tapered tip will enter and center during pilot engagement.
• Total length (L): Ensure L fits the die stack height and guide plate depth; available options include 71–110, 71–140, 71–150, and 80–150 mm.
• P dimension: Match P (1.45–30 mm) to the required engagement/profile dimension in your locating design.

Use tolerance on the die bore and punch shank to balance retention (ball lock seating) with smooth sliding during press stroke.